Published for National Association of Orthopedic Nurses as an alternative for ambulance transportation for casted children

1. Nursing at Children’s Hospital Boston
EZ-ON® Vest: A Cost Effective Alternative for Transportation of the Casted Child
Lindsey Elliott BSN, RN, CPN, CPST
Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, MA
•Since January 2009 over 24 vests have
been distributed to families saving
approximately $10,848 in ambulance fees
•Staff have expressed that they have more
time to focus on direct patient care instead
of researching discharge transportation
•Parents expressed that they are
comfortable with using the vests and
demonstrate appropriate use
Background/Purpose:
In accordance with the 2008 Massachusetts
Child Passenger Safety law, which requires all
children under the age of 8 years or 57 inches
to be properly fastened and secured by a child
passenger safety restraint, Children's Hospital
Boston began its initiative to ensure that all
patients are discharged from the hospital with
the correct child passenger restraint.
•Car Seat Program and
Nursing staff use a
Spica doll named Holly
Hipster for hands on
demonstration
Evaluation:
Once family
has received
education and
can
demonstrate
proper
application of
the vest the
patient can be
discharged
Assessme
nt:
Casted child
that is
unable to
ride sitting
upright is
admitted
and the Car
Seat
Program is
notified
Implementatio
n:
The child is
measured for the
appropriate vest
and parents are
educated not only
on how to fit the
vest on to the
child, but also on
how to place the
child into their
vehicle
Methods of Learning:
Appropriate Uses:
Goals:
Nursing Implications:
Conclusion:
To educate both staff and families about the EZ-
ON® Vest as an alternative to transporting their
casted child home following discharge from the
hospital.
•Potential cost savings of $452 per
ambulance transfer
•Allows for safe transportation to
follow-up appointments
•Saves Nursing staff time with
reduction of preparation and planning
for ambulance transfer
The vest comes in
two different sizes
and fits children
ages 2-12 years
and up to 100 lbs
The vest comes in
two different sizes
and fits children
ages 2-12 years
and up to 100 lbs
The affected
extremity lays
against the
back of the
seat
The affected
extremity lays
against the
back of the
seat
The lap and shoulder
belts are passed
through the harness
and latched into the
locking clip securely
fastening the patient
in the backseat
The lap and shoulder
belts are passed
through the harness
and latched into the
locking clip securely
fastening the patient
in the backseat
•Home Care Instruction
Sheets are provided for
families and staff to review
•Car Seat Program contact
information is provided
•An EZ-ON® Vest
power point
presentation is
available for parents
and staff to watch
prior to using the
vest